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September 23 – 29, 2021 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 38 www .associatednewspapers.net

THE BELLEVILLE Romulus Trade Center is OK’d by city council
ENTERPRISE
ENTERPRISE
The first reading of plans for
Vol. 136, No. 38 a new, multi-million dollar ” development currently
includes the installation of
Sumpter Township resi- trade center were approved by Rarely does everyone (on the planning commission) 1,700 trees and 5,700 shrubs and
dents may soon be able to members of the Romulus City decorative grasses at the site,
enjoy a kayak or canoe ride Council this month. vote yes but they did on this. all of which, Sweeney stressed,
in Sherwood Pond at The new, 171-acre develop- This was the best plan we've ever seen. are in Phase One of the project.
Banotai Park. ment is planned along the “This isn't something we are
See page 3. south side of Smith Road, the going to do down the line.
east side of Vining Road and “We refreshed our entire The new plan includes a These infrastructure improve-
north of Wick Road and is the team and came back to the provision for retail space in the ments and landscaping are part
second proposal for the site community and listened. We've center and NorthPoint of Phase One, as is the retail
THE CANTON proposed to city officials by brought back a better, what I Economic Development operation, and will be done
EAGLE NorthPoint Development. think is the best, plan which Manager John Sweeney said during the first part of the proj-
EAGLE
that the company had come to
invests hundreds of millions of
The initial plans presented
ect,” he said.
Vol. 74, No. 38 months ago by the developer dollars” in the community. an agreement with Royal The project, which will have
were rejected by council mem- The plan as presented to the Farms to become the first retail a final reading for a second vote
One of Broadway and
Hollywood's sci-fi smash bers prompting a video apology council members received a outlet in the new project. He of the council next week, faces
musicals, Little Shop of from NorthPoint owner and unanimous vote of approval also said that the contract pro- a $2 million penalty, along with
Horrors, is appearing at founder Brent Miles during the from planning commission vided that Romulus residents city legal fees, should any of the
The Village Theater at meeting Sept. 13. Miles said the members where study sessions have a two-week lead time and provisions in the plan be violat-
Cherry Hill this weekend. new proposal was a “long jour- and a public hearing sought preference for employment ed.
See page 6. ney over several months” with public input on the proposed opportunities throughout the One of the main concerns of
the city and that the plan “did- development. The developer site. both members of the planning
n't start off in the best manner.” projects that the new Romulus NorthPoint has added $2 commission and city council
He said he wanted to apolo- Trade Center will bring 1,180 million in landscaping to the members was the impact of
THE INKSTER gize for the failure of his devel- jobs, another 629 construction plan including multiple side- truck traffic on the area roads.
LEDGER STAR opment team to listen to the jobs, $55 million in real proper- walks inside and at the entire NorthPoint funded a traffic
LEDGER STAR
perimeter of the development,
city and present a plan that
impact study and paid for an
ty taxes and projects $38 mil-
Vol. 74, No. 38 would be acceptable to resi- lion in tax revenue for the connecting the area to several
dents. Romulus School District. other parts of the city. The See Center, page 2
Plans were announced
last week to increase inter-
city with the installation of a Legislator to undergo mental health examination
net access and speed in the
new $20 million fiber optic Michigan State Rep. Jewell Jones, who represents the
infrastructure. Jones will remain in police cus- ” 11th District which includes
See page 4.
tody awaiting a mental health House Speaker Jason Inkster and parts of Garden City,
evaluation requested by his Dearborn Heights, Livonia and
attorney, former Inkster Mayor Wentworth removed Westland, entered a guilty plea
THE NORTHVILLE Byron Nolan. Jones from all state on those charges and was
EAGLE had represented Jones during House committee remanded to police custody.
EAGLE
Attorney Ali Hammound, who
The original drunk driving
Vol. 210, No. 38 drunk driving, resisting arrest assignments following charges occurred April 6 when
One of the most popular and contempt of court charges Jones' Chevy Tahoe was located
and eagerly awaited attrac- since April, withdrew as counsel the arraignment. in a ditch by Livingston County
tions of autumn is now open Friday morning. He told officers after multiple 911 calls
weekends at Maybury Farm Livingston County Chief Judge from motorists complaining of a
in Northville. Michael Hatty that his withdraw- Those charges were levied at the vehicle with the license plate
See page 5. al was “due to a breakdown in 26-year-old, three-term state leg- ELECTED driving erratically on
the attorney-client relationship” islator as he was remanded to I-96. When officers approached
and his withdrawal was in the police custody for multiple viola- the vehicle, Jones refused to pro-
THE PLYMOUTH best interest of both Jones and tions of his bond conditions on vide identification at the scene Jewell Jones
EAGLE himself. four counts of drunk driving and and threatened officers with “unresponsive” to a local hospi-
EAGLE
Vol. 21, No. 38 Nolan requested the mental resisting and obstructing arrest. “calling Gretchen (Gov. Gretchen tal. Jones was eventually pepper
health evaluation which was Prosecutors charged him with Whitmer)” and telling Michigan sprayed and tased by officers in
The Plymouth granted by Hatty who ordered contempt of court claiming he State Troopers who responded attempts to secure his arrest,
Community Arts Council Jones to remain in custody pend- had tampered with a court to the scene that he controlled according to official reports of
recently chose the winners of ing the findings of that examina- ordered transdermal alcohol their budget, implying retalia- that incident during which a
the 2021 Savage Studio Art tion. monitor after the device record- tion. loaded Glock handgun was visi-
Awards. Jones' latest court appearance ed at least three instances of According to police reports, ble to officers atop the front seat
See page 5. was in response to charges of increased blood alcohol on Sept. Jones' conduct became increas- console of the vehicle. Jones'
bringing a weapon into a county 3. Prosecutors allege that he ingly combative and argumenta- blood alcohol at the time was
jail and attempting to escape attempted to tamper with the tive as his female companion recorded at 0.19, more than
THE ROMULUS custody where he had been device Sept. 6 by forcing a folded was treated by EMTs at the
ROMAN remanded by Hatty on Tuesday. sock beneath the monitor. scene. She was transported as See Jones, page 4
ROMAN
Vol. 136, No. 38 Canton picnic, fireworks set for tomorrow night
Councilwoman Virginia
Williams expressed frustra- Canton Township will cele- and head over Heritage Park, casual fall event that culminates and older.
tion last week with the pro- brate the end of summer with a where they'll be able to pick a with some of the best fireworks Picnic in the Park partici-
cedures in place regarding band tomorrow night. Plans spot for their picnic and watch around," LaFever said. pants will be expected to follow
the public comment portion include food, live music and fire- our live music performances, Featured entertainment will Centers for Disease Control
of council meetings. works at the Canton Township choose from a variety of great include performances at the (CDC) and Michigan Department
See page 2. Picnic in the Park set for 5 until 9 local eats and drinks, and then Amphitheater, as well as on the of Health and Human Services
p.m. Sept. 24 in Heritage Park. sit back and enjoy some amazing Canton LIVE Stage, which is (MDHHS) guidelines that may
Visitors can enjoy food choic- fireworks," stated Jon LaFever, located at the Heritage Park soc- be in place at the time of this
THE WAYNE es from area restaurants and Canton Leisure Services deputy cer fields on the north side of the event. Spectators are also
EAGLE food trucks, popular music director. park. The Amphitheater Stage encouraged to bring blankets
EAGLE
"Canton has a well-respected
performance will feature Packin
artists performing on two stages
and lawn chairs to ensure that
Vol. 74, No. 38 leading up to the fireworks tradition for its fireworks, and Heat Band from 5 until 6:30 p.m.; every guest can enjoy this out-
For the second time in his extravaganza scheduled to begin although this event is much Killer Flamingos from 7 until 8 door community celebration.
more low-key than our previous
A convenient Uber, Lyft, par-
p.m. and an encore performance
at dusk.
law enforcement career, "We're hoping friends and Liberty Fests, we hope that area by Killer Flamingos following ent drop-off/pick-off spot has
Wayne Police Sgt. Nicholas neighbors grab their big blankets residents will enjoy this type of the Fireworks. Live music will been designated on Civic Center
Boruta was honored as the also be performed on the Canton Boulevard in front of the Canton
city 2020 Officer of the Year. LIVE Stage, with Motor City Public Library main entrance.
See page 4.
Sensation from 5 until 6:30; All event Welcome Booths will
CrasherZ Band from 7 until 8 also feature children's wrist-
p.m. and an encore performance bands that can be filled out to
THE WESTLAND by CrasherZ following the include their parents' contact
EAGLE
EAGLE Fireworks. details, in case parties become
Participating food trucks and
Vol. 74, No. 38 area restaurants include: Great separated during the event.
Event-goers are also reminded
Nearly 50 small business Lakes Confections; Impasto; that all bikes must be parked in
owners in Westland got some Maraschinos Pub; PizzaPazza park bike corrals.
help from the fire depart- and more others. A Beer and There is no admission fee to
ment where funds are now Fireworks will ignite over Heritage Park ponds located behind the Wine Garden will also be avail- attend this outdoor event and
available to pay for service of Canton Administration Building at 1150 S. Canton Center Road able within the Amphitheater parking is also free. For more
fire safety equipment. during the Picnic in the Park. Photo courtesy of Canton Leisure area on the south side of information, visit www.canton-
See page 3. Services. Heritage Park for individuals 21 fun.org or call (734) 394-5460.

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